When it’s hot and I have to do stuff, I get angry. I don’t realize it at the time, everyone around me just becomes stupid and slow and unhelpful and willfully in my way.
Nowadays my wife will remind me beforehand: When we arrive at camp, it will be hot while we set up the tents. Remember that you’re not really angry, just overheating.
I set a career goal when I was much younger to never have a job where I had to wear pantyhose. My career has had its ups and downs, but I've been 100 percent successful at that goal.
One of the most badass moments I witnessed was in university, there is this whole crowd of students suffering through engineering and one of us, Kathy, was just smiling and enjoying the day. Someone asked her why she went into engineering and she said as she showed off her cool jeans and tennis “I dont like wearing skirts”. There was a collective dawn in their hearts as they are there struggling trying to comprehend 4th dimensions and stuff, but Kathy just said “na I dont like skirts Ill get an engineering degree” and she was top of class lol
I worked in order entry one holiday season taking phone orders for a catalog that carried cute fun gifts. I remember one caller, when I asked for her credit card number, said, "Hold on, I'm trying to merge. I'll get the card out of my purse in a minute." She was driving while placing a phone order....I just said I would hold and hoped she was not going to have an accident. I enjoyed taking the orders mostly because I love accents and got to hear accents from all over the US.
One of my worst traits is that Im cold blooded, no dont get me wrong is not bad for me but for the people around me. A fire can be going around and Im just gathering water and dosing stuff, and people look at me like “why aren’t you panicking!!”
I have ADHD and one of my symptoms is hypersensitivity so I can always tell when a room gets hungry or tired or confused or sad. I wish I knew more languages, but I guess reading vibes is pretty cool too.
I had very low iron, and the pills made me feel very ill. I eventually had to receive infusions via IV, and the great thing about the IV iron infusions is they were done over a year ago and my iron levels are still good (just an FYI in case the stomach discomfort becomes intolerable).
If you don't need a special prescription iron, I take Megafood Blood Builder https://megafood.com/products/blood-builder. It's ok to take on an empty stomach, I've done it. It also contains vitamin C which I've heard helps with iron absorption. It seems to really work. I usually take it for two weeks before I plan to donate blood, otherwise I've often had too low iron to donate.
I love your drawings and your newsletters. So funny and touching and great at capturing what it feels like to be a little "weird," and I mean that as a compliment. I discovered you from your book about odd couples, and because I draw sloths too!
I'm late but I loved this post (and relate as a fellow iron-taker), and also was wondering if you might share where the Nerds Gummy Cluster necklace is from??? That sounds like the best necklace ever!
The iron supplement I take is called Ferrasorb from the company Thorne. I see a naturopathic doctor, who recommended it. But my levels are also monitored by a hematologist. Taking one capsule per day has everything back on track for a few years now. I take it at night before bed. Hope you figure out a better solution!
I had the same issues with iron pills and then found out about "Heme vs Non Heme" Iron. Heme iron is what is in red meat and doesn't give all the side effects of the traditional non-heme pills and is better absorbed by the body with no restrictions. A few brands make heme iron supplements but they are more expensive (and not vegan if that's an issue for you) but in my opinion totally worth it.
Brooke, so sweet and caring to have iron suggestions from your readers. Hope you find an alternative that works for you. Not fun to feel crummy. And...crazy idea to dress up for a call center job. Really???!!!
When it’s hot and I have to do stuff, I get angry. I don’t realize it at the time, everyone around me just becomes stupid and slow and unhelpful and willfully in my way.
Nowadays my wife will remind me beforehand: When we arrive at camp, it will be hot while we set up the tents. Remember that you’re not really angry, just overheating.
if your doctor is into it, and you're able to get it, floradix is a liquid iron supplement that is MUCH easier on the stomach.
https://www.salus-haus.com/brands/salus-haus/floradix-liquid-iron-and-vitamin-formula-01385707/
That’s what I take, and I have a very sensitive tummy!
I set a career goal when I was much younger to never have a job where I had to wear pantyhose. My career has had its ups and downs, but I've been 100 percent successful at that goal.
One of the most badass moments I witnessed was in university, there is this whole crowd of students suffering through engineering and one of us, Kathy, was just smiling and enjoying the day. Someone asked her why she went into engineering and she said as she showed off her cool jeans and tennis “I dont like wearing skirts”. There was a collective dawn in their hearts as they are there struggling trying to comprehend 4th dimensions and stuff, but Kathy just said “na I dont like skirts Ill get an engineering degree” and she was top of class lol
This makes me so happy. There are so many metrics that measure a career and it's delightful to declare some wins like this!
Good for you for sticking to your career goal! It’s great to see you achieving what you set out to do.
I worked in order entry one holiday season taking phone orders for a catalog that carried cute fun gifts. I remember one caller, when I asked for her credit card number, said, "Hold on, I'm trying to merge. I'll get the card out of my purse in a minute." She was driving while placing a phone order....I just said I would hold and hoped she was not going to have an accident. I enjoyed taking the orders mostly because I love accents and got to hear accents from all over the US.
I love these vitamins! Easy on the stomach bc they're made from food!
https://megafood.com/products/blood-builder
One of my worst traits is that Im cold blooded, no dont get me wrong is not bad for me but for the people around me. A fire can be going around and Im just gathering water and dosing stuff, and people look at me like “why aren’t you panicking!!”
I have ADHD and one of my symptoms is hypersensitivity so I can always tell when a room gets hungry or tired or confused or sad. I wish I knew more languages, but I guess reading vibes is pretty cool too.
I had very low iron, and the pills made me feel very ill. I eventually had to receive infusions via IV, and the great thing about the IV iron infusions is they were done over a year ago and my iron levels are still good (just an FYI in case the stomach discomfort becomes intolerable).
If you don't need a special prescription iron, I take Megafood Blood Builder https://megafood.com/products/blood-builder. It's ok to take on an empty stomach, I've done it. It also contains vitamin C which I've heard helps with iron absorption. It seems to really work. I usually take it for two weeks before I plan to donate blood, otherwise I've often had too low iron to donate.
I love your drawings and your newsletters. So funny and touching and great at capturing what it feels like to be a little "weird," and I mean that as a compliment. I discovered you from your book about odd couples, and because I draw sloths too!
I had to dress professionally in my healthcare job but during the pandemic scrubs were the better choice. I haven’t gone back and I won’t!
I'm late but I loved this post (and relate as a fellow iron-taker), and also was wondering if you might share where the Nerds Gummy Cluster necklace is from??? That sounds like the best necklace ever!
Hi Brooke!
The iron supplement I take is called Ferrasorb from the company Thorne. I see a naturopathic doctor, who recommended it. But my levels are also monitored by a hematologist. Taking one capsule per day has everything back on track for a few years now. I take it at night before bed. Hope you figure out a better solution!
https://www.thorne.com/products/dp/ferrasorb-reg
I had the same issues with iron pills and then found out about "Heme vs Non Heme" Iron. Heme iron is what is in red meat and doesn't give all the side effects of the traditional non-heme pills and is better absorbed by the body with no restrictions. A few brands make heme iron supplements but they are more expensive (and not vegan if that's an issue for you) but in my opinion totally worth it.
In case you find it helpful: https://open.substack.com/pub/chrismasterjohnphd/p/alternate-day-iron-dosing-does-it?r=l073q&utm_medium=ios
Brooke, so sweet and caring to have iron suggestions from your readers. Hope you find an alternative that works for you. Not fun to feel crummy. And...crazy idea to dress up for a call center job. Really???!!!